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Suspected Hack into POS System, Announces Presidian Hotels & Resorts

Texas (US) based hotel management firm Presidian Hotels & Resorts that runs independently recently declared that during the period July 26, 2014 to September 2, 2014 there was possibly a hack into its POS (point-of-sale) device that was used for the beverage and food restaurants as well as the eatery in Visalia, California situated Visalia Marriott operating from Convention Center Hotel, reported hospitalityleaderonline.com dated January 5, 2015.

Presidian Hotels & Resorts explains that they noticed malfunctioning of the said POS device utilized within its beverage and food restaurants. Thus, an inside probe was started when the POS was disconnected as well as the federal agency of law enforcement notified. Initial outcomes following the probe disclosed malware along with its remnants on 3 POS terminals installed in the hotel's beverage and food eateries. Since malware was spotted, there was danger of theft of all payment card details maintained on those terminals during July 26, 2014 to September 2, 2014, the firm apprehends. Hospitalityleaderonline.com reported this.

Understandably, the hack solely impacted hotel visitors who utilized their debit/credit cards while buying food from the said eateries. But, visitors who bought beverage and food and paid room services for the same from the eateries remained unaffected.

Now, card companies which issued the payment cards, doubted to be under impact of the breach, by now know about the situation as also they're enhancing their fraud supervision alternatively issuing fresh debit and credit cards. In this circumstance, clients who think there has been unauthorized operation with their debit or credit cards are recommended to inform their card issuers. Brands like MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express facilitate zero liability if there is an unauthorized charge provided the companies are told about it at specified time periods, the hotel observes.

Formally in a statement, the hotel also expressed deep regrets as well as apologies because of any problem the incident might have caused while indicated its continued commitment towards safeguarding all information of its customers.

Security specialists caution that the current year (2015) won't have any less cyber assaults so layered security and vigilance shall be the way out.

» SPAMfighter News - 22-01-2015

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